BEST MOVIES OF 2007 - Number 6

The Bourne Ultimatum - The conclusion of this knock down drag-out trilogy might not be the last Bourne movie after all. And that's a good thing. I would argue with anyone who would tell me there is a better trilogy of movies out there besides The Lord of the Rings set. Coming in at 3+ hours for each movie, LOTR even had its fair share of slow parts. I beg you to find a slow part in any of the Bourne movies? You certainly won't find one in The Bourne Ultimatum. Matt Damon said he would be willing to revisit the character, but only many years down the road. Luck has it that a 4th Bourne book was written, many years after Robert Ludlum put down his pen. This 4th installment is called The Bourne Legacy and I can only hope that some day the movie comes about.

Movie Review - The Orphanage

My first movie review of the new year and it's a doozy. The Orphanage is a spanish language horror film presented by Guillermo del Toro who last year directed Pan's Labyrinth and this year is directing Hell Boy 2. He didn't direct this film, but almost anything with his name on it is golden in my book.

The Orphanage, or El Orfanato if you will, is a good old fashioned ghost story. Here's a quick plot outline: A woman and her husband buy an orphanage that the woman was raised in. They intend to re-open the home for several special needs children. The couple have an adopted, cute-as-a-button son who is ill. The son has several imaginary friends and these friends have a few secrets about the orphanage that they seem to be trying to relay through the boy.
Each scene is a nail biter, winding it's way through a maze of thrills and chills. The story weaves in and out of scenes, each leaving clues about what's really going on. It's a treasure hunt of sorts that National Treasure could only aspire to be.
As with any good story you'll need to be sure not to let anyone ruin what's coming up. The movie is in the same vain as The Sixth Sense (although not quite in its league) crossed with The Others and maybe the two good parts of Hide and Seek thrown in for good measure. I literally leaped out of my seat once and squirmed several others. Don't let the subtitles scare you away from a movie that will honestly scare you.

I'm trying to give more well rounded reviews this year so here is what I'm going to be doing: There are 9 things that I am going to grade each movie on, each of those will be worth up to 1o points a piece except the final category which will be worth 20 total points. Those things:

Plot (The Story): 10
Script (The Dialog): 8
Directing: 9
FX / Sound: 10
Casting: 9
Acting: 9
Pacing: 9
Conclusion: 10
Overall Entertainment: 19

TOTAL: 93
MOVIE GRADE: A


For the record here are the grade ranges:
100 - 97 = A+
96 - 93 = A
92 - 90 = A-
89 - 87 = B+
86 - 83 = B
82 - 80 = B-
You Get The Point
70's = Cs
60's = D's
59 and below is F


We'll see how this grading scale goes and see if it really reflects my feelings on the movies I see. If it doesn't, then I'll go back to a simplified scale.

OUT

Making an Assumption

I was in the shower tonight, an imagine that I'm sure you could live without, when a popular nightly segment came on 93X. The segment is called 9 Songs That Don't Suck. Something is really wrong with your format when you have to take a break from your normal playlists in order to throw on a few songs that don't suck. And several of the songs that they play on this segment are NEVER played on the station again.
Just a thought, but wouldn't it be more ideal to try to always play non-sucky songs?

OUT

A Perfect Example of My Luck

There are two morals to the story that I am about to tell you. It is a heart breaking tale of a boy on the most important journey in his life. I don't usually post too many "personal" items on here, but this one is called for. Especially if it can teach you the life lessons that I myself have learned the hard way.
Many of you know that I have spent the better part of the last month in a serious job hunt. Not that I am dying to leave the library. I want to make it clear that the library/WYPL is going to be the best job that I have ever had. But I don't feel challenged there the way that I want to be. Plus I want to have opportunities to move up and I feel like I have reached the peak of opportunity at the Berry.
So I have been pretty successful in my job hunt so far. With the help of Selena I managed to get an interview for a great job at Sedgwick. I really wanted that job, but I didn't quite have the work experience to land the job. I was basically told to get my foot in the door, get my hands dirty for a little while, and then I could move to this department with ease.
I managed to land an interview with another company without the help of friends. I was pretty proud of myself to get a bite so quickly. This interview went so great that I was promised a second interview right there on the spot. Well two weeks went by and I hadn't heard anything from anyone about setting up this second meeting. So I did what any eager job seeker would do, I called. The lady was nice enough to tell me that the calls were being made for second interviews TODAY and that my name was on the top of that list!!! Go me.
So I waited today for that call. And I waited. And I waited. While I waited I texted a few friends. They didn't write back. I texted a few more. They didn't write back. So finally I picked up my cell to check and make sure that I had service where I was. I did. So I made a call from my cell. And it went straight to ATT's Account Services.
I was told that my bill was past due and that my service had been shut off. That couldn't be right, I'd sent out my payment weeks ago. What the hell?
Nevertheless, I got home, checked my bank account, and sure enough the check had not cleared. So I called ATT, paid by e-check, and got my service cut back on. But I most likely missed the call for my second interview.
The morals of the story...
1. Live in the present; snail mail is for seniors and sending Christmas cards only.
2. Life if about balance; balance your checkbook.

All I can do is pray that those calls weren't made today. And if they were I have to pray that they try my number again tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath.

BEST MOVIES of 2007 - Number 7

SuperBad - Honestly, there was no way this movie wasn't going to make my top ten list. Just from the unrated trailer alone I was in love with this movie. The movie didn't manage to live up to my EVERY expectation, but those were some lofty expectations and SuperBad managed to get pretty darn close. Jonah Hill had the majority of the laughs, Michael Cera was his always endearing self, but they all took a back seat to the guy who will be forever known as McLovin. A little less Seth Rogan and a little more McLovin and this naughty movie would have sky rocketed to near the top of this list.

OUT

BEST MOVIES OF 2007 - Number 8

300 – Some of the knocks I heard on this movie were that it was too over-the-top, not believable, and couldn’t keep up the intensity for the entire movie. I beg to differ on all counts and found 300 to be one of the most kick ass movies of the year. A movie like The Kite Runner wins me over because it creates a moral dilemma and I am left thinking about how I would react in those situations for days after the reel has stopped spinning. A movie like 300 scores with me because I leave the theater jazzed up and ready to take on the world. The last movie I saw before 300 that left me with such an adrenaline rush was The Matrix. And I have that listed as one of my all time favorite films.
300 doesn’t have the brains that The Matrix had, but it has all of the other flavors including visual effects that left my jaw inches from the floor.

BEST MOVIES OF 2007 - Number 9

The Kite Runner - I think Hollywood has begun to rely way too heavily on book adaptations. Apparently Tinsel Town is out of fresh ideas. Nevertheless, many book adaptations are made each year and many of them turn out to be great movies. Some don’t (The Golden Compass). As a matter of fact at least 3 of my top 10 movies are scripts based on books. The reason The Kite Runner makes the list is because of the moving story. It’s the tragic tale of Amir, an Afghani boy who befriends the son of his family’s servant. I won’t ruin any plot here, but something terrible happens and before Amir can make amends the Soviets invade Afghanistan and he is whisked away from the country by his father. Years later Amir returns to the country, now decimated by the Taliban, in search of a way to set things right.
All unknown actors are used in this film, yet the lack of Hollywood drawing power is never evident. All of the actors do an outstanding job. Young Amir and young Hassan were perfectly picked to play those roles. The only negative on the movie was the sudden jumps in time, which were necessary to get the entire story onto the screen in a reasonable amount of time.
For those of you wondering, the movie is about 50 percent subtitled and 50 percent English.

An Annoying Fact...

I was reading in the Commercial Appeal this morning about some name dropping columnist who had dinner with Morgan Freeman recently. While the article went on and on about how she talked with him about her dogs and sports and travel…She went on and on and I never really found a point to the article. However, one thing really did stand out.
Morgan Freeman was telling her that he doesn’t have a problem with guns. Apparently Mr. Freeman found a study that shows that “MOST people don’t shoot their guns at people unless someone fires at them first.”
I’m no math major, but if someone fires at you and you fire back then 2 people have fired guns. 1 + 1 = 2. So if two people fire shot and one of them fired first and another fired back in response, doesn’t that lead to the assumption that the first person fired at will, not because they were fired at? Leaving me to draw the conclusion that 50 percent of all people who fire guns, fire first. And that invalidates Mr. Freeman’s argument that MOST people don’t fire guns unless they are shot at first.
Just goes to show, even famous people believe everything they read in the papers…Then again maybe he didn’t really read anything. Maybe he’s like a lot of people I know (me included) and he just makes up stats and studies. I have heard that 43 percent of all percentage stats are made up numbers…

BEST MOVIES of 2007 - Number 10

And now the moment you've all be waiting for a I know. The official start to my TOP 10 movies of 2007. Well, here we go. At number 10:




GRINDHOUSE - I've chosen to present this feature as one movie, since that's the way I saw it. I loved Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror. It was the most mindless fun that could possibly be crammed into an 80 minute flick. Explosions, zombies, guns, and decapitations have never been such a riot. For me Death Proof, Quentin Tarantino's half of the project, was more highly anticipated. It didn't deliver at the level that I had hoped. There was way too much dialog and not nearly enough action. However, when the action finally did get under way, it was quite the thrill ride. The faux trailers between pictures, the missing reels, and authentic grind house presentation sold me. It was truly a unique movie going experience.

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (Honorable Mentions)

These movies were close to making the top ten. They were all on my short list, but these just didn't quite make it. I will share brief pointers on why they were at the top and not focus on why they didn't make the cut.






1408 - I can't remember the last time I had so much fun watching a horror movie. So many times scary movies just don't deliver. Well this one did. John Cusak was back to old form here as a writer/ghost hunter trapped in a hotel room. This was an old school supernatural thriller...and one of the best Stephen King adaptations not named Green Mile or Shawshank.

Waitress - The country-fried accents killed me. But once I was able to put them out of my mind this was a really charming movie. Keri Russell flexed her indie-acting chops while Nathan Fillion prepped for his OB/GYN turn on Desperate Housewives as an OB/GYN in this film. The main course was the Russell's failing marriage to an abusive prick. Dessert was the cooky friendship Russell served up with Andy Griffith. And after this movie I couldn't help but find the nearest bakery for a slice of pie.

Breach - I am usually not impressed with straight forward movies that offer up no twists, no turns, no shocks, and few surprises. This was one of those movies, but for some reason it worked. Ryan Phillipe plays a wet-behind-the-ears rookie charged with following every move of veteran agent Chris Cooper. The bosses think Cooper might be a spook. The movie is based on a true story...and for once I believed most of it because not everyone dies at the end leaving no one to tell that true story (Open Water anyone?) but I digress. This movie was genuinely intense and despite the lack of big reveals, delivered a great conclusion.

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead - Two brothers, one professionally successful (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and one a slacker (Ethan Hawke), find themselves in a bit of financial trouble. So what's a pair of bros to do? Well rob their mom and dad's jewelry store of course. Well as you can imagine, things don't go as planned and suddenly this time jumping caper is a study in the dynamics of family. This one is directed by Sidney Lumet who brought to life the classic Dog Day Afternoon.

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BEST NEWS EVER

My favorite game show/reality show is making a comeback. ABC has just announced that it will be bring back THE MOLE for a ten week run this Summer. I can't think of a better show to use during the strike disabled season. I know a lot of you guys used to really like this show too, so maybe we'll have a MOLE party at my place in a few months. You Dig?

OUT

It's A Hit

Yes, I watched. And yes I loved every cheesy moment of it, brother...

NBC’s revamp of the campy competition classic “American Gladiators” scored the highest new series premiere rating of the season.

“Gladiators” earned a 5.9 preliminary rating among adults 18 to 49 and was seen by 12 million viewers. The demo rating gives "Gladiators" the best score for an NBC debut since “Heroes." Previously, the highest premiere tally this season was held by "Bionic Woman" (5.7), NBC's other action-filled primetime remake.

The two-hour premiere came in second during the 9 p.m. hour behind an original episode of “Desperate Housewives” (7.2), but it handily won the 10 p.m. hour. What’s more, “Gladiators’” final half-hour was its highest-rated, with a 6.1, which bodes well for the true test of the show’s strength when the show airs tonight in its regular time period.

MSNBC called the program “an awkward start,” but still “a thrilling television event.” BuddyTV said it’s “cheesy fun.” The Onion wrote, “After two grueling hours, I want my brain cells back.”

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (The Worst)

For some critics I think their favorite time of the year is putting together their WORST movies list. I personally am not one of those "critics." I hate bad movies. I hate wasting my time and money on crap. So when a movie is really well reviewed and then ends up being bad I am usually a little pissed off. Part of the reason I even bother with this blog is so that my friends might save a pointless trip to the movies.

So I have 2 lists for this post. The first is a list of movies that were well reviewed, but didn't deliver the goods as far as I am concerned. I didn't have to hate the movie for it to be on the list, but I certainly had to be in significant disagreement with the overall consensus.

3. Eastern Promises - I loved David Cronenberg's A History of Violence. I thought that it was an excellent thriller and really delivered the gut punches. So when Eastern Promises was delivered I thought for sure it was a can't miss done deal. Well I thought the movie was terribly drawn out, predictable, and had none of the moral ambiguity that made History so amazing. And the 5 minute fight with Viggo Mortensen's business flopping about was overkill.

2. Zodiac - Let me clarify by saying that I thought the acting was top notch in this film. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. could all win awards this season and I wouldn't complain. However, the movie itself was slow and really didn't pass along the sense of urgency to the audience that many of the actual people in San Francisco must have been feeling. The movie was just bland. I didn't feel much different about Zodiac than I did about The Black Dahlia.

1. The Namesake - This return to your roots drama starring Kal Penn was pretty well received by most critics. And the larger number of them deemed Kal Penn a a really great actor. Don't get me wrong I love Kumar, but he can't really act that well. And this movie actually highlighted that. The movie was down right boring and it made me with that Dr. House hadn't just hired him as a new doctor on his team. (Ok, the movie wasn't bad enough to make me feel like that, but you get my point.


Now, this list is comprised of the WORST MOVIES of the year. Now, let's make sure we are clear, these are movies that I actually saw. Some things I knew were going to be awful as soon as I heard about them (I Know Who Killed Me). So this list is likely an incomplete one. But at least you can avoid the following movies and not lose any sleep over not seeing them... or because you did see them...

By the way, these movies deserve NO MORE of my time so I won't be writing much if anything about them.

5. The Number 23 - Jim Carrey, are you kidding me with this shit?

4. The Invisible - Should have been me that was invisible from this theater.

3. Rush Hour 3 - This is what happens when money is more important than quality. I look forward to the day when Chris Tucker finds a new role to play. I won't hold my breath.

2. The Golden Compass - I'd rather worship the devil than see this again.

1. Bug - Holy shit I can't believe I spent my money on this movie. And some critics liked it.


So, leave me some comments...what was the worst movie you saw this year?

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (Most Surprising)

This is always one of my favorite things to read by other movie enthusiasts. It's a list of the most surprising films of the year. This list is made up of movies that I had low expectations for and ended up being pleasantly surprised. The 6 movies on this list are the ones that had the largest difference between expectation and actualization.

Number 6 - Shoot 'Em Up
Another Clive Owen mention here. This guy really can make anything better. This movie was advertised as a non-stop roller coaster of a ride with tons of shoot outs, plenty of explosions, and some witty banter. When I hear that I immediately think about Michael Bay. And since I hate Michael Bay I had no desire to see this movie. But I kept hearing a little buzz here and a little buzz there. So I gave in and Netflixed it expecting to hate every mind numbing second of it. And yet there I was laughing at every line Paul Giamatti offered up. And there I was pumping my fist every time Clive Owen did something so fucking cool yet so fucking unbelievable. I never get why movie have so many bullets flying and so few people getting hit. I still don't get it, but by the end of this wild trip, I just didn't care.

Number 5 - Live Free or Die Hard
Are you kidding me. Another Bruce Willis as John McClain Die Hard movie? I kind of felt about this movie the same way I feel about Indiana Jones IV: The Cialis Crystal or whatever it is called. I know I'll like the movie, but I know I won't be able to NOT compare it to the classic Raiders of The Lost Ark. Just like I couldn't help but compare Live Free or Die Hard to the original Die Hard, which I've seen no less than 95 times. But with each stunt, special effect, cheesy joke, and unbelievable get away, I fell under the movie's spell even more. Justin Long helped breathe some new life into the franchise, giving Willis someone new to play off of. And the Kevin Smith cameo was priceless.

Number 4 - Walk Hard; The Dewey Cox Story
I hate spoofs. Hate them. I find no redeeming quality in many of them. Sure there are some funny bits in each spoof that comes along. Anytime pop culture is poked fun at there are going to be some chuckle worthy moments. The trailer for Meet The Spartans makes me laugh out loud every time I see that dude kicking Britney Spears into the giant pit. But ultimately those movies never make me feel like I got money's worth. Walk Hard was the ultimate exception for me. John C. Reilly was a perfect choice to play the Ray/Johnny Cash/Elvis Presley biopic spoofer. Things got off to a slow start, but the movie relied a lot on jokes through repitition and eventually it found its timing. When I laughed, I did so until I cried. There were things that didn't work, but those were all forgotten when things clicked.

Number 3 - Enchanted
Girlie Disney movies aren't really my thing. I don't like syrupy sweet flicks that always end with a big happy kiss. It's not real life. But strangely enough the moral of this movie was exactly that...there is no such thing as a Fairy Tale life. Real life has trials and tribulations. Amy Adams was so perfect in the lead role as the fairy princess that it was sick. I can't picture anyone in my mind who could have done a better job. The story moved quickly, was always funny and willing to never take itself too seriously. Enchanted was truly enchanting.

Number 2 - Disturbia
When someone would mention Shia LeBeouf before this movie I would have no idea who they were talking about. After seeing Disturbia, I will never forget again. He carried the movie by himself with ease. You never once thought about the fact that this guy was acting. It was if you really had a camera in the guy's bedroom. Ultimately this flick would have worked better as a romantic comedy than a thriller. When the movie went darker it lost its appeal. But the first half was almost perfect. Sarah Roemer played the love interest and her chemistry with LaBeouf was spot on. They had a chemistry that is often missed in movies. I laughed numerous times and it is very apparent to me that Shia is a real PTPer (Prime Time Player) in this business now. His next big role is next to Harrison Ford in this summer's new Indiana Jones movie. Word is, Steven Spielberg is so impressed with the kid that he is looking at making a new Indiana trilogy with him as the star.

Number 1 - Mr. Brooks
I had no expectations. Kevin Costner. Dane Cook? A thriller with a different twist on the serial killer genre. The little voice in Costner's head that willed him to kill was more than a voice. The figment of his imagination was played by William Hurt. And as this "psyche" followed Costner around you saw him slipping further and further away. It was really a great psychological trip. Dane Cook was actually pretty good, but his introduction into the movie actually played a little too heavy on coincidence. Besides that it was a really fun journey into one man's battle with his inner demons. If you haven't seen this one, check it out. If Kevin Costner could ever find a little consistency in his movie role choices he could be one of the great American actors. But his record shows a pattern of one good, one bad, one good, one bad...etc.

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (What I Didn't See)

As I continue my Best Movies of 2007 Series I have to next mention a few movies that I wish had already been released in Memphis so that they could be included in my list. These movies will most likely be reserved for a post in 2009 mentioning why they were great yet can't be included in my Best Movies of 2008. But, we'll worry about that next year. When I see these movies I promise to review them on here.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - This movie did actually get released in Memphis. Unfortunately for that one week I was too busy to make it to the theatre for 2 hours. I will get my hands on this dvd as soon as it is released and will make sure to post a review. For those of you who don't know, Brad Pitt is the star of this movie.

There Will Be Blood - Where there is Daniel Day Lewis there is Oscar talk. I'm not a big fan of Paul Thomas Anderson. I thought his movie Magnolia was way too long and too quirky just for the sake of being different. I though Punch Drunk Love was extremely boring. But I admit to being blown away by the trailers for Blood and I am really looking forward to seeing it. I also really like Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine). I think he stole the movie The Girl Next Door and I can't wait to see him in Where The Wild Things Are.

Into The Wild - This one was released in Memphis also. And I have no excuse for not going to see it. I loved the sountrack and still play it regularly. I think Emile Hirsh is the real deal and will be actng for years to come. I love movies like this and am pretty sure that I am doing you a disservice for not being able to include this in my top ten list. I'm sorry about that!

The Savages - This family drama is not making as many top ten lists. But two of my favorite actors in the world star in this one and I know that I am going to love it. The stars are Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. Seriously, have you ever seen either of them NOT be brilliant?

So, I promise to review these as soon as I can. And at some point in the future I might revamp my 2007 list to include these.

OUT

BEST MOVIES of 2007 (A Continuing Series)

This first post in my BEST MOVIES OF 2007 SERIES is part BEST OF LIST and part disclaimer. Several great movies were released in Memphis in early 2007. But, because they were "officially" released in 2006 I have deemed them ineligible for the best of 2007 list. These movies would have easily made my best of list for this year, but instead they get a brief mention here...

The Last King of Scotland - This movie was the best that I SAW in 2007. I enjoyed every single aspect of the film. Forest Whitaker was brilliant and his many awards earlier this year were well deserved. This flick also cemented in my mind what a great actor James McAvoy is. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and I consider this movie a MUST SEE.

Children of Men - I know a lot of people thought that this was the best movie of 2006. It was certainly up there. Clive Owen is in a class of his own. Even mediocre movies are raised a level by his presence. This dire, futuristic film was part action, part tragedy, all amazing. Michael Cain did annoy me just a bit, but that's just because I don't find him all that entertaining. His role didn't alter my take on the movie.

Volver - A foreign language film that most of my friends will never see. But trust me when I tell you that this movie hit a home run on every aspect I consider important. The story was tight and provided plenty of twists and turns. The directing, done by the always inventive Pedro Almodovar, was versatile yet very direct and intentional without being distracting. The acting was believable and real, especially Penelope Cruz. After several horrible American roles, she had a triumphant return to her roots.

Pan's Labyrinth - Another foreign language film by another cutting edge filmmaker. This time the damage was being done by Guillermo del Toro. The story is an adult fairy tale. The movie was creepy and wonderful, brutal and kind. The only knock was not getting to spend more time in the wonderful fairy tale world.

Each of these movies were great in their own way. Each are movies I encourage you to see.

OUT

Just To Make You Feel Old...

Some 2008 Anniversaries...

TURNING 18 (or as the ROS guys say, “Movies You Can Legally Have Sex With”)
The Hunt for Red October
Pretty Woman
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Back to the Future Part III
Total Recall
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Ghost
Goodfellas
Home Alone
Dances With Wolves
Misery
Edward Scissorhands
The Godfather Part III

10TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS
The Big Lebowski
The X Files
Armageddon
Blade
American History X
Shakespeare in Love

15TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS
Groundhog Day
Army of Darkness
Jurassic Park
The Fugitive
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Mrs. Doubtfire
Schindler’s List
Philadelphia
Tombstone

20TH ANNIVERSARY FILMS
Beetlejuice
Big
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Coming to America
Die Hard
Rain Man
Beaches

National Treasure: Book of Secrets - Movie Review

National Treasure: Book Of Secrets can really be summed up with one sentence; If you liked the first one, you’ll like the second one. The difference between the first movie and the second is that I had very low expectations for the first film and it far exceeded those. But with the sequel, my expectations were understandably higher and that caused the movie to feel flat at times.
I have two main beefs with this movie. The first being the amount of faith you must put into circumstance. In the first movie you were along for the ride, feeling like you were right there helping Cage and the crew put the pieces together. This time around you aren’t allowed to help in the problem solving at all.
The second problem I had? They tricked Ridley out. He used to be a fun loving nerd who had all the brains and none of the glitz. This time out he is more confident, less likeable, and ultimately less funny.
Also slowing the movie down were scenes with Cage’s mom and dad. I felt like I was watching Indiana Jones all over again with the great Indy dragging his pops everywhere.
That’s a lot of negative and I don’t want you to think that I didn’t enjoy the movie. I did. I had a good time and as far as pop corn flicks go, this was right on target. But I don’t see movies just for the good times. I also like my movies to make me think, to let me play along, or to make me question personal feelings about a moral situation. National Treasure: Book of Secrets did not meet any of those criteria.

MOVIE GRADE: C+

Joshua - Movie Review

I don’t know why this is, but kids in movies creep me out. I’ve always thought that Dakota Fanning was a demon. I think that kid in Problem Child is the son of Satan. I think the youngest Culkin kid is basically Spawn. I just don’t know what it is about them that make me cringe. Well the movie Joshua adds another kid to the list.
The movie follows a family of four. Dad, played by Sam Rockwell, mom, nine year old Joshua, and brand new baby girl.
Joshua is a piano prodigy and basically a genius. And yes, Joshua is supposed to be a little creepy. That’s the point of the story. It works.
Joshua appears to feel a little neglected now that baby sis has come home. He’s not getting the attention he wants or needs and it seems as if he is about to try anything to change that.
The movie builds to a fever pitch and ultimately pays off with a few scenes that literally had me yelling at the screen. Sam Rockwell does a great job as a dad struggling to love a child that he really doesn’t see himself in. It’s a role that he was made to play.
The only negative on the movie is that so many of the ideals have been played out before on the screen or in books and there was nothing new or special offered up here.
This movie was released by an independent company and didn’t make many people’s radars, but it’s available for rent now and you should check it out.
Fans of The Omen and other creepy child movies will like it.

MOVIE GRADE: B

Atonement - Movie Review

Atonement is getting a ton of press right now and rightfully so. The British romance story is certainly well acted. The story goes something like this: Keira Knightlyy plays a well to-do woman who falls for the family help in early 1900’s. The hired hand who woos Knightley is played by James McAvoy. The more movies I see McAvoy in the higher he climbs on my best actors list.
Well the real drama starts when Knightley’s younger sister accuses McAvoy of a horrible crime that he didn’t commit. The movie then follows the lost lovers as they fight to find their way back into one another’s arms throughout their lives.
The movie is based on an Ian McEwan novel. The movie at times feels like a book on screen which, if you manage to keep watching this sometimes slow period piece, makes a lot of sense in the end.
The acting is superb, easily Keira Knightly’s best work and another notch on McAvoy’s resume.
This isn’t really my type of movie, but it did hold my interest and I was very open minded. It won’t be number one on my Best Movie list, but it is certainly a movie that you should add to your movie que.

MOVIE GRADE: B+

COMING IN 2008

Starting on January 2nd I'll begin posting some short reviews for the many many movies I saw over the holidays. I saw National Treasure 2, Atonement, Ratatouille, Alien Vs Predator, Joshua, Hair Spray, Eastern Promises, Sweeny Todd, The Kingdom, The Hottest State and a few others.
I have also decided to begin my TOP 10 Movies of the Year countdown beginning next Monday the 7th. I still haven't seen There Will Be Blood or The Savages, but I will post without them for now and will adjust the list as needed.

I hope you all have a very happy new year.

Cree

What do you think?

The New Alanis...Pretty Hot.

Christmas Gift

Ok, so someone gave me the best and worst Christmas gift in the world today. It's an assortment of homemade cookies. And they are amazing. Which is why they are the best gift! But, because it is an assortment, I feel like I have to eat them all right now. Because what if the white chocolate mac. nut cookie isn't the best one. What if the best cookie is the heath bar crunch cookie. Or what if it's the peanut butter cookie. And that's why it is the worst gift too.

Does anyone else see my dilema?

I used the word Amicable today. I got made fun of by my friends. They didn't know what it meant and accused me of speaking above their heads. Honestly, I thought everyone used that word. Little did I know, there are people out there who can't even pronounce it. What do you guys think? Is Amicable an okay word to use in every day conversation?

I'm going to see several movies over the next week. I will be reviewing them all. Here is a list: Sweeny Todd, National Treasure 2, Alien Vs. Predator 2, and Charlie Wilson's War. I may also see Atonement and Margot and the Wedding, but only if time permits.

I'll be doing my best movies of the year list sometime in January after There Will Be Blood and The Savages are released in Memphis.

Have a very safe, happy, jolly, and Merry Christmas. And please stop for just a minute and think about what this holiday means to you. And cherish the time with your familes. We are getting older and we aren't promised a whole lot more holiday seasons with them. And when you're driving down the road, let someone cut in front of you and wave at them, don't give them the finger. You'll feel better about yourself.

Merry Christmas

Cree

Best Albums of '07- NUMBER 1

The HIVES

Black and White Album

For their 4th studio album, The Hives took their sweet time. They pranced around the world recording in different spots including a stint in Oxford, Mississippi. Go figure. But what the time off did was give the band some time to re-energize and come out swinging. Well the wait is over and the new record is explosive. It's kind of like listening to two different bands. The first half is vintage Hives with Tick Tick Boom and other rock songs. However, the band takes an unexpected left turn about half way through. The two best songs on the album were produced by Pharrell Williams. They are "Well Alright" and the funky "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S."

Movie Review - JUNO

I had the pleasure of seeing one of the SPOILER ALERT! top 5 best movies of 2007 last night. Juno! It was freakin’ hilarious and far better than I had even expected; and let’s be honest, my expectations were pretty high.
Juno, named after the beautiful wife of Zeus and NOT the town in Alaska, is a far cry from the most popular girl in school. She’s not a nerd, but more of a freak/geek hybrid in my opinion. However, her choice in men (boys) is quite peculiar. Played by Ellen Page (X-Men 3, Hard Candy) Juno brings a zest to the screen that is hard to describe. She’s almost like a less beautiful, more cut throat Veronica Mars with all of her witty banter and pointed comebacks. She is feisty to the core.
Juno and her best friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera from Super Bad) are bored one day and they decide to do the deed. Bleeker is a nerd, a hard core mama’s boy, but he’s always true to himself and that makes him endearing. But, their “sexual activity” leads to pregnancy and that’s where the story picks up…
Juno, being a sixteen year old student, decides to give the baby up for adoption to a nice family that she finds in the Penny Saver Coupon Clipper. That couple is played by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. Bateman’s character is likeable and he plays off of Ellen Page really well, but he never seems to give himself over to the role completely. Jennifer Garner was the only part of the film that I didn’t like. She comes off as cold and stuck-up even during parts of the film that she is supposed to be winning over the audience. Maybe I will just never be able to see her in any role besides Sydney Bristow.
There were funnier movies this year, including Knocked-Up, if you are rating on a laughs-per-minute ratio. However, none of the comedies, including Super Bad, had as much heart to go behind the jokes.
I don’t want to ruin any of the jokes here and so I am refraining from giving you direct quote. Just know that every word that comes out of Page’s mouth is funny. Sometimes the sarcasm is coming so fast that you have to spend a second reliving the scene to get everything put down that she slings.
The movie’s dialogue is very hip. Of course, on that same note, the dialogue is very square too. For example, Bleeker tells Juno at one point that he’s cheesed off. I can’t think of a worse word to describe being angry than cheesed. Of course that’s what makes you love Bleeker.
J.K. Simmons plays Juno’s father. From his role in the Spider-Man trilogy to playing Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson’s boss on The Closer, he is always a riot on screen. It’s no different here. He and his wife played by Allison Janney do their best to accept the way things are and to help Juno through the pregnancy.
If you were a fan of last year’s Little Miss Sunshine, then Juno is one that you should add to your list. During this holiday season, with huge studio hits coming out like I Am Legend, Sweeny Todd, and Charlie Wilson’s War, please don’t forget to take some time and see the little movie that could.

MOVIE GRADE: A

The Dark Knight - Mini Review

I saw the first six minutes of The Dark Knight on YouTube over the weekend. For those of you living in a cave, The Dark Knight is the sequel to Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. The movie will be out in the Summer of '08. All I can say after seeing the clip is wow.

The tone and pacing is nothing short of heart pounding. It's exactly what you would expect from Christopher Nolan (Memento). The scene takes place inside a bank during a robbery and is non-stop action from the first second. The robbery is being run by some of The Joker's cronies and unlike some of the other superhero movies, the villians here don't play nearly as nice. They shoot to kill first and never worry about asking questions.

For the record, Heath Ledger looks awesome as The Joker and I'm beginning to think that he was the perfect cast for this film. We'll see.

Best Albums of '07 - Number 2

Rilo Kiley

Under The Black Light

Jenny Lewis returned to Rilo Kiley after a year long break in support of her stint with The Watson Twins. Where the Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins album was heavy and dug deep into some emotional baggage, Under The Black Lights is a much more fun, free-spirited effort. The best track on the disk is called "Smoke Detector," while the first single "Silver Lining" is a brilliant song about being the better half of someone who just doesn't complete you in the same way.

Best Albums of '07 - Number 3

Bright Eyes

Cassadaga

Ok, so maybe I am a little bit biased on this one...but it doesn't change the fact that this was an amazing album. After taking 2006 off, Conor and the gang returned with this offering. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice in '07 and both shows were great. I assure you this album will pop up on many top-10 lists this year.

Jingle Jam 2007

I had the pleasure of heading down to Tunica Friday night for the Q107.5 Jingle Jam celebration. Amongst the hip-hop music, drunk morons, and booty dancing, a few bands actually took the stage to perform. Here’s a quick rundown of the show.

We arrived late, missing Matt Kearny and Quiet Drive. It’s too bad that we didn’t miss The Long Goodnight. They were the worst band on the bill by far. The lead singer was drunk and awkward. He didn’t seem comfortable up on the stage.

The act with the biggest crowd response was Baby Bash. Those who know me know that I don’t have a damned clue about no Baby Bash. I don’t want to know nothin’ ‘bout no Baby Bash. But the crowd had a good time and everyone danced and that’s all that mattered. I did learn that if you can say “yeah” over and over and over then you have a pretty good chance of being a rapper.

I Nine was pretty okay. The singer’s voice kind of got lost behind the guitar, but she was really into her music and very interactive with the crowd.

Shiny Toy Guns were my second favorite act of the night. Behind their hit single the leading lady (forgive my laziness for not looking up her name) was a riot on stage while the lead male vocalist was happy to give the spotlight. He settled in behind the mic and did his own thing. I was pleased with the crowd response to the show considering that they had to follow Baby Bash.

My favorite performance of the night came from Simple Plan. I was a little disappointed at first that their set was acoustic. But they pulled it off nicely running through 5 or 6 of their hits before hitting the casino floor to lose lots of money. They played Addicted and Perfect and their new hit single, which may be one of my favorite songs of theirs. If they make it back to Memphis on their new tour as promised then I look forward to seeing them plugged in.

Good Charlotte’s Benji and Joel played a quick acoustic set. I’m not sure they wanted to be there in the first place. But they zoomed through their 4 or 5 songs and were gone as fast as they had come. While they sounded good, their energy was low and something tells me that Mr. Nicole Richie might be getting too big for his britches.

Blake Lewis…who? He beat boxed his way through a couple of painful tunes. He helped his moronic brother (drummer) turn his mic on. He then danced around like a chicken through a couple of “real” songs. Thank goodness his set was short. I didn’t even have to pee, but I was about to take another bathroom break during his set.

And finally Three Days Grace took the stage…but I can’t do a review of them because I left to go play roulette. I hate Three Days Grace and it would have been disrespectful to my ears to sit there and listen to that nonsense.

Nevertheless, the show, booty music, pop-tunes, drunk lesbians and all, was a lot of fun. If anyone worth a damn is on the bill next year then you can count me in.

Best Albums of '07 - Number 4

Bishop Allen &

The Broken String

The best song on this collection is called "Click Click Click Click." It tells the story of someone who slips into a wedding and is captured on a photograph with the bride and the groom. This guy will now forever be a part of that very important day in their lives as he sits above the mantle next to the smiling couple. He sings about never meeting or introducing himself to anyone yet having an impact on their memories forever. The song is now featured in a digital camera commercial and is my favorite song of the year.

Best Albums '07 - Number 5

Eddie Vedder
into the wild - soundtrack

The best Pearl Jam album in years is actually not a Pearl Jam album. While it's light on rock it's heavy on great lyrics and does a great job taking you, well, Into The Wild. Best song is called "Society."

New Poster For Dark Knight

Best Albums of '07 - Number 6

SPOON

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Spoon have never been one of my favorite bands. Don't know why, I certainly have nothing against them. But until Ga Ga was released they were just another band barely making a blip on my radar. My thoughts have now changed and I've gone back and listened to their entire catalog. The best song on the disk is called "Underdog."

Best Albums '07 - Number 7

The White Stripes
Icky Thump

The Stripes returned to the studio in '07 and in just 2 short weeks they pumped out another near masterpiece. The only reason I don't have this one higher is because the bass is mixed so loudly that it doesn't sound great in my car. Therefore I was limited in how much I could listen to it. Seeing them live this year allowed me to scratch another band from my "must see live" list. Amazing!

Most Searched Items On The Web

I found this interesting, hopefully you will too. Lycos, a search engine, released its 2007 "most searched" terms. I was shocked by some of this. I've interjected my commentary in red...

Most Searched Women of 2007
1. Britney Spears guess more people wanted to see her cooch than I thought...
2. Paris Hilton
3. Pamela Anderson They're called boobs, ed.
4. Anna Nicole Smith
5. Vanessa Hudgens High School Music is way tooo popular.

Most Searched Men of 2007
1. Clay Aiken the actual search was likely "Is Clay Aiken Gay"
2. Tupac The Black Elvis
3. Nelly
4. Akon
5. 50 Cent At least he beat Kanye at something this year...

Most Searched Fads of 2007
1. Poker This was actually shocking. Poker is sooo 2005.
2. Myspace The Devil...
3. YouTube
4. Runescape
5. Facebook

Most Searched Television Shows
1. Dancing With The Stars I Just don't get this...
2. American Idol
3. Hannah Montana Parents obviously aren't keeping up with what kids are surfing
4. Lost The most perfectly named show ever...we go online to see wtf we just watched...
5. Prison Break viewers were searching for what happened to this show...

Most Searched Bands
1. Green Day
2. Pussycat Dolls I guess Lycos uses the word BAND loosely.
3. Fall Out Boy
4. Nickelback I guess everyone was looking for lyrics to what that guy is whispering in that song.
5. Guns N' Roses No, it's not out...and yes China will be a democracy before it does...

I Can't Wait

Here is the newest poster for Harold and Kumar 2. The first poster was of Neil Patrick Harris riding a unicorn and at the top were the words "What Would NPH Do?" The trailers for the film look great. April 28th will be a great day!

Best Albums of '07 - Number 8

RYAN ADAMS

EASY TIGER

Ryan Adams hasn't made too many top album lists over the last couple of years. He generally puts out at least two set of new tunes each year. But he took a little time off in late '05 and throughout '06 and the break seems to have paid off. This is easily his best collection of songs in a while. Best song on the album: Halloween Head

Best Albums of '07 - Number 9

Paolo Nutini

THESE STREETS

Paolo burst onto the scene in '07 with infectius tunes that got stuck in my head for days at a time. the best track on the disk is called "New Shoes." If you're a fan of catchy/poppy singer songwriters then you'll enjoy this one!

I AM Legend Movie Review

The year is 1977. Robert Neville, warehouse worker and family man, is doing his best to stay alive. See, he’s the last man on Earth. His survival is a must and each day he learns more and more about who or what killed the human race.

The year is 2012 and Dr. Robert Neville is the last man on Earth. See, just three years earlier doctors found a cure for cancer…but there were side effects. A virus spread rapidly and adapted even more quickly than expected. Soon it was airborne. The renowned scientist is looking for a cure every day, but it may be too late. He hasn’t seen another human face in so long that his mind is starting to crack.

The stories sound the same, but really they couldn’t be more different. The first is a quick rundown of the set-up for the 1954 book by Richard Matheson that the movie is based on. The second description is the plot for the 2007 movie “based” on that book.

I went into the movie trying to separate the two. I knew that the book, a 160 page ball of fire and brimstone, was one of my all-time favorites. The movie trailers gave just enough away for me to see how different the re-envisioning would be. So, I tried to look at the film as a completely different work. But that was much easier said than done.

The book is about an every-man; a blue collar worker trying to get answers for what happened, praying that he is not really the only man left on Earth. But he’s pretty sure that he is. Each day he gathers more and more information, often times putting his own life at risk to discover these things. And with each thing he learns, he adapts.

The movie version takes a much more scientific approach, making the lead character an accomplished professional with some involvement with the virus before it ever spreads. Most of these things are shown via flashbacks. The new way isn’t bad and it frees up a lot of Neville’s time. However, it causes the story to feel more forced and makes some of the later scientific developments a little more convenient than they needed to be.

There are several major differences that for the sake of the movie I will stay mum on. However, I will point out one since many of you reading this will have seen the previews by now.

In the book, Neville, being completely alone, struggles with his sanity and begs for anyone or anything to talk to. In the middle of the story a dog emerges one day, but is scared to death of Neville. Matheson spends page after page showing Neville doing anything that he can to connect to the dog and form that bond. It is a huge turning point in the story. With the movie version the dog, Sam, is a family pet. It was probably a necessary evil to have the dog already in place because it opens up the opportunity for dialogue. However, the impact of having that contact for the first time in years is lost. One of the biggest emotional impacts in the story has been erased.

I tried my best not to nip-pick the movie. And it had its own merits. Will Smith is once again at the top of his game. Ladies even had the chance to oooh and ahhhh during a shirtless work-out scene. The action is brisk and the scares come in droves, although many of them are cheap “bump in the night” type scares. Fun, nevertheless.

Where the movie really deserves to be dogged however is in the CG department. The FX were down right horrid and some of them looked so fake that the audience actually laughed out loud numerous times. It became distracting and certainly took away from the impact of the story.

Lastly, I have to discuss the ending of the movie. They re-shot the final few scenes just a couple of months ago. I understand why they did it. But I urge you to read the book. It took me less than two hours and it was worth every minute. I assure you, when you turn to that final page and read the last two paragraphs your jaw will drop and a chill will crawl over your skin. And that brilliant ending is nowhere to be found at the theatre.

If you just can’t bring yourself to actually sit down and read the book, don’t worry. After you’ve seen the movie, let me know and I will spoil the book for you. And you will understand how the movie should have been called something, anything, every thing other than I Am Legend.

Movie Grade: 5 out of 10

BEST OF '07 ALBUMS: NUMBER 10

ERA VULGARIS by Queens of the Stone Age

It's rockin' good fun mixed with kick your ass tunes! You can't help but put a smile on your face when your listening to Era Vulgaris by Queens of the Stone Age. Each song is catchy and even when the hook is small the songs get stuck in your head for days. I had a chance to see these guys in concert this year and man do they bring it.

BEST OF '07

It’s that time of year. All of the bloggers, magazine writers, and official media are putting together their “BEST OF ’07 LISTS.” I wanted to get out of the gate early with my Best Albums of the Year.

You will find several notable albums missing from my top ten: There’s no boring Radiohead. There’s no trendy Arcade Fire. There’s no overrated Kanye West.

Trying to avoid being biased and yet not wanting to be pretentious either I think I have been completely fair in my assessment. You be the judge...

I will post a new album each day until I reach number one. So let's get it started...

For The Shoppers...BLACK FRIDAY

Want to know what the hot deals are for the day after Thanksgiving? Well there is a site up now that has all of the ads posted before they are officially released. Usually these ads are held until November 19th in order to keep the competition fair between the stores...but for a sneak peak check out

www.blackfriday.info

My Morning Constitution

People used to complain all the time about how they got 10 hotdogs in a package, but buns only came in packs of 8. Really made no sense to a consumer, but to a company it makes plenty of sense (cents). If you have 10 hotdogs, you need 10 buns. So what does the average customer do? They buy two packages of buns.
Well this morning I was eating one of my favorite breakfast treats; strawberry pop-tarts with no icing. (I know, I’m a freak)
Anyway, it occurred to me that there are only 4 packs of pastries in each standard box. 8 total treats. In a tradition work week you wake up, fix a quick bite to eat, and head to work 5 times. Monday through Friday for some, but hat can be varied. Either way, over 75 percent of the business world works 5 days a week. So why not fill Pop-tart boxes with 5 little packages of treats. One box would simply equal one work week.
I just don’t understand the logic behind the thinking. Maybe someone can explain it to me.

For now, I will just keep on buying my pastries 5 boxes at a time. That will give me 4 full weeks of treats to grab as I head out the door.

Oh yeah, for anyone wondering why I like the ones with no icing…I like to heat them in the toaster and then cover then with butter and let it melt through the crust. YUM!!!

OUT!

Time Is On Our Side

One of these days I will stop writing posts about the WGA strike. But right now it’s so fresh on my mind that I can’t seem to stop.
With the end dates for many of our favorite shows on the horizon I wanted to do a special post about how we can fill our time waiting for the strike to end. I’ve come up with a list of 5 series that you should Netflix and watch as the networks fill their schedules with mindless reality programs and repeats.

1. Freaks and Geeks: The most realistic look at how bad high school can be for some students. Filled with humor and overflowing with vigor this show is all about heart. There’s some good news for those you interested in this series. And there’s some bad news. Good news is: it’s only one season and you can rush through it in no time. The bad news: it’s only one season and was prematurely yanked from the air.

Perfect for fans of: The Wonder Years, The O.C. and The Big Bang Theory
Extra Tidbit: Created by the guy who brought us 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked-Up

2. Veronica Mars: If for nothing else than to see Kristen Bell before she blows up into one of the biggest entertainment stars in the world, watch the show. It is funny, snappy, witty, and full of great mysteries. And if you can’t afford the time to give it three full seasons, just watch the first one. It ranks up there with season one of Lost and season one of 24 for best premiere season of a new show.

Perfect for fans of: Chuck, Heroes, and any mystery series or book
Extra Tidbit: This show has fed actors into so many other shows like Big Love, Heroes, Moonlight, and Smallville.

3. The Wire: The most realistic cop/crook show on television. This cutting edge series follows Baltimore cops and its most dangerous drug dealers on a cat and mouse chase over 5 season. (The 5th one premieres on HBO early next year)

Perfect for fans of: The Sopranos, Homicide, and NYPD Blue

4. Battlestar Galactica: I know, I know. It’s too geeky for you. But hear me out. Try it. Watch the 2 part mini-series that started it all. If you aren’t sold after those few gripping hours then you never have to watch another episode again. But if you love it as much as I suspect then jump right on into season one and follow the greatest human struggle/political parallel/action-adventure series to ever be on television.

Perfect for fans of: The West Wing, Lost, and Firefly

5. Brothers and Sisters: This show is only in its second season, but there is no doubt in my mind that this series is going to be around for a long time. Sally Field is amazing as the matriarch of this large family. When her husband dies a few skeletons fall out of his closet leaving the family divided and only those bloodlines to bring them back together. Calista Flockhart is also pretty great, leaving her Ally McBeal days way behind her.

Perfect for fans of: Grey’s Anatomy, Cane, Dallas, or The West Wing


Others to catch up on:
The Sopranos: (You know you always wanted to watch it)

Scrubs: (I’ve never met someone who didn’t like this show after giving it a chance)

The Office: (You personally know everyone of these people. And each episode can bee seen 10 times and you’ll still see something new)

Lost: (I will never leave you alone with this show)

Dexter: (This show is seriously the best show you have never heard of)

An Article From LA TIMES About The Strike

The writers' strike will take an immediate toll on television viewers' favorite programs, dealing a setback to shows that are written day-to-day -- such as Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" -- as well as scripted programming already underway or about to go into production.
Soap operas are expected to be the first to disappear since many can write only one month ahead and most have episodes to last them only until the end of the year. But during the 1988 strike, producers wrote in place of striking writers, and soaps stayed on the air.
Prime-time scripted series have episodes through mid-January or early February, depending on how many reruns they space out in the next few months. Unscripted shows -- such as "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," and, when it returns in January, "American Idol" -- would continue uninterrupted.

Here's a look at where many shows stand:


Syndicated Shows
"Ellen"
Decided not to tape her show Monday in support of the striking writers. Some writers on her show are guild members. Monday's and Tuesday's shows were taped last week, a spokesman said. DeGeneres has yet to decide whether to go ahead with further shows this week.

Late Night
"Colbert Report,""The Daily Show" and"Saturday Night Live"
Will go into repeats immediately.

"The Tonight Show" and"The Conan O'Brien Show"
Will go into repeats immediately.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live"
Staffed with WGA writers, so it would probably go to repeats. But Kimmel could also decide to wing it and do the show himself.

"Nightline"
Will remain live and in originals.


ABC
"Desperate Housewives"
Has nine episodes written, which should last through the first week of December.

"Grey's Anatomy"
13 episodes of 23 episodes written, 11 of which have been shot and six have aired. This means there are five more episodes in the can.

"Boston Legal"
Will have 14 or 15 of 22 episodes completed.

"Lost"
Expected to have eight out of 16 episodes ready.Midseason, none have aired yet

"Dirty Sexy Money"
Expected have between 11 and 13 episodes completed.

"Brothers and Sisters"
Expected to have either 11 or 12 episodes completed.

"Eli Stone"
Will have 13 of 13 ordered. Midseason premiere date is undetermined.

CBS
"CSI: Miami"
Will have 13 out of 24 episodes completed.

"Criminal Minds"
Will have 12 of 22 episodes completed.

"Moonlight"
Expected to have 11 out of 12 episodes completed; has not received an order for a full season.

"Jericho"
Will have seven of seven episodes.

NBC
"My Name is Earl"
Has 13 out of 13 episodes completed.

"Medium"
Will have nine of 22 episodes completed.

"30 Rock"
Has nine out of 22 episodes completed, with several days of shooting for the 10th episode scheduled for this week.

"Friday Night Lights"
Expected to complete 15 of 22 episodes.

"Scrubs"
Expected to complete 12 of 18 episodes.

"Journeyman"
Expected to complete 13 of 13 episodes; has not yet received an order for a full season.

Fox
"24"
Will have eight or nine out of 24 episodes completed. Midseason, none have aired yet.

"K-Ville"
Will have 10 of 13 episodes completed.

Sci-Fi
"Stargate Atlantis"
Expected to go on as scheduled.

"Battlestar Galactica"
Has 10 hours of episodes, plus a two hour movie to air this Fall.

"Eureka"
Will be affected.

FX
"Thirty Days"
Completed, not expected to be affected.

"Nip/Tuck"
5th season, the 22 episodes were planned for two cycles: 14 to run from now to February and eight next year. All 14 in the first cycle have been written. So, only the second cycle could be affected.

"The Shield"
The final season is written, no date set for airing.

"The Riches"
Seven of 13 are written, reportedly good through Dec. 10

"Dirt"
Production is underway, and it could be affected.

"Rescue Me"
fifth season, just announced, would be affected since production is expected to start in early '08.

"Damages"
No word yet on whether it would be picked up

HBO
"Entourage" and"Big Love"
Are currently in the writing stages and were scheduled to air in the summer of 2008.

"True Blood" and"12 Miles of Bad Road"
Have begun production.

"The Wire"
Completed and will air as scheduled.

"In Treatment"
New series will air as scheduled.

Showtime
"Dexter," "Weeds,""Californication" and"Brotherhood"
Have ended or will be ending their season runs.

"The Tudors"
Second season returns in late March, completed production Nov. 1 on 12 episodes.

A new Tracey Ullman series
Five-episode series is shot.

A Tiger, A Strike, and A Saw

Rose made his debut for the Tigers last night and all I can say is DAAYUM. (That’s DAMN southern-style for those of you who missed that one.) He was three steps faster and three feet higher than everyone else on the court. I haven’t seen a player at Memphis that much better than everyone one else on the court since Penny Hardaway. Hold on Tiger fans. This is going to be a wild ride.

The writers strike is now underway in Hollywood. Fans of scripted shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, and House are about to be heart broken. The biggest losers in all of this, besides the viewers of course, are the new shows. Programs will low to middle ratings might not be back. This includes Reaper, Chuck, Life, Journeyman and more. We won’t see the effects of the strike immediately, but as the shows head into their usual winter breaks they likely won’t return. Some shows like Heroes have even filmed alternate endings so that the final episodes can serve as season finales.
If the strike goes over a month (and it looking like it could last up to six) then shows like Lost and Medium will have to decide what to do. Lost only has 8 of its 16 episodes completed and the show runners were all seen on picket lines yesterday.
The immediate casualties were late night talk shows like The Late Show and The Tonight Show which went dark on Monday because their skit writers are on the picket lines. Some of those shows could come back as early as next week though, just in a different format. Likely gone will be monologues, skits, and top ten lists.
The only medium not affected will be reality shows. Look for more offerings than usual from the networks. And if the strike goes too long CBS might even bring back Big Brother for a winter edition.
No matter what happens, it is a very sad event. But I do feel like this is an important strike and the issues that the WGA are hung up on are very relevant.

I went to see SAW IV last week. I have to steal this review title from someone. The movie should be called SAW-IT-B-IV. As in, it’s basically the same movie all over again. A few cool deaths, a gruesome autopsy, and an open ending. I did like it better than the second one though. The ending on this one was a bit more flimsy and slightly more confusing than I would have liked. I think the horror genre is in need of a new kick-start though, something fresh. Much like Scream did in the 90’s I hope something comes along soon that takes the movies to another level.

Is it just me or is it really freaky that Thanksgiving is just 2 and a half weeks away. I mean, where has 2007 gone?

OUT!